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chazan

chazan

1 9.9
A person who leads the singing of prayers in a synagogue
  • noun
  • /ˈkhäˌzän/
: jazán
  • As the chazan, he guided the prayers with a strong and melodic voice.
  • Naomi Chazan

Examples

  • The chazan led the congregation in lively singing during the morning service.

  • When he finished, the president rose, came towards him, and said only: "Tonski, if you wouldn't have left here, you might have become a great chazan!"

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The man was a Chazan, a religious man.

  • I wanted the board of this shul where I was a young chazan...

    Fiction book (1998)
  • When the president found out, all he said was: "Either you sing in a cabaret or you stay chazan in the shul!"

    Fiction book (1998)
  • That little chazan who used to chant here phoned me from somewhere or other.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The chazan's deep knowledge of the traditional melodies enriched the worship experience.

Synonyms

cantor
vschazan
8 7.7

Person who leads singing in a synagogue or church during services

focuses on leading singing specifically within a Jewish synagogue rather than churches
chazzan
vschazan
1 9.9

A person who leads prayers and sings in a synagogue

focuses on leading singing or chanting specifically in a synagogue
hazzan
vschazan
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A person who leads singing and prayers in a Jewish synagogue

leads singing in synagogue without stressing other religious duties
hazan
vschazan
  • Specialized
9.9

A person who leads songs and prayers in a synagogue, often singing alone

leads singing in synagogue without implying official title or solo role

Surface Forms

chazan singular
chazanim plural

Etymology

Chazan comes from the Hebrew word חזן and the Yiddish khazn, which originally meant 'one in charge' or 'caretaker' in a community and later became the name for the person who sings and chants in the synagogue. So a chazan today is the prayer leader who leads the congregation in song.